A randomized phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer: Gemcitabine alone vs. gemcitabine combined with cisplatin

Abstract

4215 Background: Overall 5 year survival for patients with pancreatic cancer is <1%, but with resectable disease ranges from 11%–24%. In units with an aggressive policy of surgical exploration, resection rates are only 50–60%. The greatest impact on survival will be achieved by increasing the resection rate. Preoperative chemotherapy may improve operability and therefore survival. Methods: 50 patients were randomized between 2 regimens of neoadjuvant therapy. 24 patients were randomized to gemcitabine (1000mg/m2) (G) every 7 days for 43 days. 26 patients were randomized to gemcitabine (1000mg/m2) and cisplatin (25mg/m2) (GC) every 7 days: 7 patients received an original schedule omitting day 22; due to neutropenia, the subsequent 19 patients received a revised schedule of GC omitting days 15 and 36. All patients had radiological and clinical evidence of pancreatic cancer considered resectable on CE-CT scan and were suitable for surgical exploration. Results: 22/24 G patients underwent treatment receiving ...